Derik Queen

New Orleans gave up significant assets (pick #23 + 2026 first) to move up and acquire Queen's rights from Atlanta — a sign of how highly the front office values his potential.

Queen is from Baltimore, joining a list of Maryland products who have reached the NBA including Kevin Durant (whose roots are in the DMV area).

His passing ability for a center drew comparisons to Nikola Jokić's processing at similar stages of development — a lofty comp for a 21-year-old.

He will develop alongside Yves Missi in a rare two-center development program that the Pelicans hope creates their frontcourt of the future.